Viewer Question Topic: Eating Poop (Coprophagia)

Dear Dr Milwicki, My Golden Retriever is 2in a half months old we are trying to train him to potty in a newspaper in our apartment .Our vet said not to take him out until we're done with the shots. We are using the balcony and we have newspapers on the floor when I wake up in the morning to clean I see that he has eaten his poop. Our vet said to put red pepper on the poop (since we can't find those kind of products here in Turkey) that he'll stop eating it but it didn't help please advice me what I can do.. Thank you. -Neslihan Orten

Hi Neslihan The problem you are having with your Retriever puppy is called Coprophagia - and it is very common. In most cases this is a bad habit but there can also be medical reasons for it e.g. pancreatic disease or vitamin/mineral deficiencies. There are 2 main factors involved in controlling this condition. 1. Prevent the dog from getting to its own stools. Using a crate instead of allowing the pup to run unattended in the house is very important. If the crate is the correct size and you do not put newspaper in it, the pup should not pass stools until taken out. At certain set times during the day, take the pup outside your apartment onto the grass or if you have to, onto the balcony. Do not leave him unattended while he defecates and clean up immediately he is done. If you set up a plan of feeding him at exactly the same times every day, taking him out at the same times and crate training, I'm sure you will be successful. 2. You could use food additives like Accent or Forbid mixed into his meals to impart a bad taste to the stool. This method is best used in conjunction with the first. Good luck

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